ODU, Norfolk State amend football series

Old Dominion and Norfolk State amended their football series and will face each other twice in the next three years, the schools announced Tuesday.

The Monarchs will play at Norfolk State on Oct. 26, 2013, while the Spartans will play at Ballard Stadium on Sept. 12, 2015.

The previous six-year deal between the city schools had to be changed because of ODU's impending move to the Football Bowl Subdivision and Conference USA.

"Playing at Norfolk State allows our fans to conveniently attend an away football game while minimizing our program's travel expenses," ODU athletic director Wood Selig said in a statement released through the school.

"Additionally, playing Norfolk State at home in 2015 assists us in piecing together our critical non-conference schedule for the first season we will be eligible to play in a bowl game and compete for the C-USA football championship."

ODU and Norfolk State met for the first time last season in the first round of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. The Monarchs won 35-18.

The Monarchs are piecing together football schedules for the next two years in their transition to FBS. Conference USA officials are expected to assist them with at least the 2014 schedule, when an undetermined number of future conference opponents play them in non-league games.